Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[JohnDillworth]

Big interview for him today for possible promotion.

Terrific news and best of luck John!

[Bif1961]

Is for Trumps VP?

[John 3rd]

Sorry guys but Michael is correct. I've an interview this afternoon to become an Area Supervisor for my company. My wife and I are buying two Subway franchises within the next twelve months or so but this opening would sure HELP with that transition. It might also cut down on some of the costs for the stores...

It is also end-of-the-school year and I don't think we can cramp too much more into the days.

FYI: Vacation this weekend Fri--Sat--Sun and then June 6-11th where we are going back up to the Mount Rushmore area.

LOTS happening in the game but no time to really get carried away. Will try to get something in using the wifi at our campsite.

[JohnDillworth]

Will try to get something in using the wifi at our campsite.

Oh no you will not. Vacations or for family and either way your workload looks like it is going to increase. Relax, recharge and enjoy.

[John 3rd]

Back from our trip. A good time was had by all up in the lovely town of Estes Park, CO. My wife wanted to get the camper out once prior to leaving next week for Mount Rushmore. Good idea. We found a bunch of stuff we needed, had forgotten, or hadn't bought yet.

Have just sent all three turns out so we are good to go.

We're going to Mount Rushmore next Mon--Sat.

[John 3rd]

While up at Rushmore, I intend to do some serious AAR work. Won't be able to do turns but should be able to relax and do some writing. We are looking at South Dakota as some serious R&R...

[John 3rd]

October 5, 1943

One of my projects while propping my feet up shall be to update my SS Sunk-Damaged log. This has not been done since Dan and I re-started the campaign. The IJN SS have had an incredible war and they still continue to hit at a good clip. While sunk boats are starting to climb, the damage caused has been excellent. Here is an example from this turn with I-21:

[John 3rd]

October 5, 1943

The goal is now to delay and harass the enemy at his locations where landings have occurred. Two Fast TF depart on this very purpose October 5th:

1. At Marcus CL Sendai and 5 DDs carrying a large portion of a CD unit heading for Wake.
2. 6 DD carrying nearly 900 troops from the 48th ID leave Saipan for the same destination.

The American Fleet has pulled away from the site so we'll see if there is time to get these reinforcements there.

[Anachro]

Probably a stupid analogy as I don't see anything wrong with the attempts to reinforce islands where fighting is taking place, but I am reminded of the attempts to reinforce Guadalcanal or other islands like Peleliu. In those cases, the men were thrown away, but I don't think Wake Island is even close to being your Guadalcanal (with the ensuing the drainage of men, equipment, and planes). I'm assuming you are simply trying to buy more time to reinforce your inner perimeters.

On that note, how prepared would you say you are in your defenses? What are the fort levels and garrisons looking like? Have you thought about retrenching from certain perimeters to more defensible areas?

[BillBrown]

It has been about 20 years or so, but I had a very fun 12 days in the Black Hills area. Camping and sightseeing. Try to get to Jewel Cave, it is fantastic.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Probably a stupid analogy as I don't see anything wrong with the attempts to reinforce islands where fighting is taking place, but I am reminded of the attempts to reinforce Guadalcanal or other islands like Peleliu. In those cases, the men were thrown away, but I don't think Wake Island is even close to being your Guadalcanal (with the ensuing the drainage of men, equipment, and planes). I'm assuming you are simply trying to buy more time to reinforce your inner perimeters.

On that note, how prepared would you say you are in your defenses? What are the fort levels and garrisons looking like? Have you thought about retrenching from certain perimeters to more defensible areas?

Forts are at 6 everywhere. Max Garrisons at nearly all important bases. The Mariania's are beyond a Fortress presently. Have engineers digging in extending the lines from the Marianas south to New Guinea. Babeldoap and Peleliu building up presently. Additionally have troops landing/landed at Mindanao to continue the build-up there...

The longer I can keep him tied down at these contested bases the better for me.

I have to repair the Fleet. LOTS of ships in the Home Islands getting fixed presently. Need about a month to get back into decent shape. Six-to-Eight weeks would be far better.

Am getting a TON of air groups coming in presently. Experience sucks but given six months they will be dangerous.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

It has been about 20 years or so, but I had a very fun 12 days in the Black Hills area. Camping and sightseeing. Try to get to Jewel Cave, it is fantastic.

Jewel Cave is on our list!

[ny59giants]

A part time mod member (wink, wink) pushed for more Japanese bulldozers many many months ago. Looks like its paying off. [:)]

[BillBrown]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

It has been about 20 years or so, but I had a very fun 12 days in the Black Hills area. Camping and sightseeing. Try to get to Jewel Cave, it is fantastic.

Jewel Cave is on our list!

And lest I forget, go see Crazy Horse.

[Anachro]

If we're going to start building a list of camping spots, my family's main go-to throughout my childhood was always Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. Haven't been there in forever, sadly. It used to be a nice hidden gem but probably is much more well-known and frequented now. Really, we camped all throughout Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

On your defenses, is it just CenPac you've built up? Or everywhere?

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

If we're going to start building a list of camping spots, my family's main go-to throughout my childhood was always Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. Haven't been there in forever, sadly. It used to be a nice hidden gem but probably is much more well-known and frequented now. Really, we camped all throughout Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

On your defenses, is it just CenPac you've built up? Or everywhere?

Western Aleutians and CenPac have been the priorities. Am extending the line southwards (as described earlier) but also am working in the Kuriles too.

Have rebuilt ID from the Sumatra Campaign and they are getting spread around. Moved 2nd Armored to Australia to strengthen that area. Moved another ID to join one already present in Java as well.

There is no real area of weakness presently that I can see...

[John 3rd]

October 10, 1943
Wake Island Area

The uneasy calmness that has surrounded Wake Isle for the last ten days or so is shattered by developments on October 10th. Though the two Allied Regiments ashore could have taken the base at any point since the landing they have not attempted to do so (AV only 55). Imperial HQ had directed two Fast TF to try to get in and land elements of the 48th ID as well as 8th CD. The 8th CD (aboard CL Sendai and 6 DDs) was scheduled to be delivered the 10th with the 48th (on 5 DDs) arriving the day after.

Allied AMs and some small ships are spotted approaching Wake on the 9th so three I-Boats are vectored in for an intercept. The Fast TF are warned that there might be a hot reception for them when they arrive.

Meanwhile--to the north--two Japanese Carrier TF move slowly NNE towards Midway with plans of dropping into the sealanes between Midway and Wake. The Carriers are hunting the American battleships that hit Wake and then return to Midway for replenishment.

Surface Action
As expected, an American STF of CL Phoenix and 5 DDs intercepts the Sendai Group. There is lots of shooting and torpedoes flung at each other but very little damage. Sendai takes 2 6" hits and that is about it. The Americans do force the Fast TF to abort its mission though...

Japanese Wolf Pack
It is a GLORIOUS day for the Imperial Submarine Fleet! As said many times earlier, the Japanese Sub arm has had an outstanding war. This day exceeds all that have proceeded it.

The Boats:
I-159 LCDR Hosakawa
I-183 LCDR Ishikura
I-190 LCDR Hirakawa

I-190 spots the leading American Task Force and calmly sinks DE Griswold just one hex SE of Wake. The Torp splits her in half.

I-159 hears the hit scored by her sister then raises her periscope to find a group of CVEs nearby. Quick maneuvering around escorts brings her into firing range of CVE Casablanca. Four TTs are fired and one scores a direct hit followed by a fuel storage explosion. NICE! Escorts pounce on the hapless sub and force it to the surface. As the sub is pounded, her deck gunners hit DD Satterlee with two shells damaging the DD. Shortly thereafter, I-159 makes its final dive to the bottom.

I-183 is a newer boat and wants to get into action. She does this through spotting the smoke from the burning Casablanca. Slowly moving in, she launches four TTs at the damaged Escort Carrier and quickly blasts her with two hits and another fuel storage explosion. CVE Casablanca sinks. LCDR Ishikura reloads his tubes, decides to stay deep for two hours and then move back into the numerous American formations.

The successful I-190 has reloaded her tubes and gone deep to do so. Hearing powerful screws above her, Hirokawa slowly eases the boat up and raises his periscope. Only 1,000 yards away is CV Wasp. With planes on her decks it is obvious she is preparing to launch an early morning strike. Once again four TTs are launched and one of them smacks Wasp on her starboard side. A massive ammo storage explosion then rocks the carrier. Escorts drive the sub down and away from the Task Force. Hirokawa's sub is not seriously damaged but he does point the bow west and make for Saipan with no torps remaining.

Hearing the massive explosion aboard Wasp, I-183 moves towards it. Just an hour after dawn, the periscope rises to find the damaged Wasp moving slowly south towards friendly bases in the Marshalls. She is still burning with two DDs alongside helping to fight the fires. ALL eyes are on the Wasp. They do not see the Japanese shark approaching. Closing in to point-blank range, I-183 launches her final four fish at the American Fleet Carrier. Not one! Not TWO!! THREE TTs SMASH INTO WASP!!! Two enormous explosions follow and the WASP sinks in only a few minutes. The loss of life is quite high. The joyous crew of this defiant sub dives deep and gets away with no damage...they live to fight another day.

Sub Score for October 10, 1943
I-190 sinks DE Griswold and damages CV Wasp
I-159 is sunk while damaging CVE Casablanca and DD Satterlee
I-183 SINKS TWO CARRIERS--CVE Casablanca and CV Wasp

BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

October 10, 1943

The only event marring the massed celebrations in the Cochran Man-Cave are a series of strikes launched against the retiring Sendai TF. Three morning and two afternoon strikes attack CL Sendai and her five DDs. All things considered, damage isn't too bad. DD Sawakaze is sunk by a TT on the final attack of the day and Sendai takes a pair of bombs. Japanese AA proves to be quite effective versus the Avengers.

Sendai is in pretty bad shape but over 100 Fighters will fly LRCAP tomorrow to try and help her get back to Marcus.

Now...back to the party and heavy tea drinking in the Man Cave toasting all three of these intrepid Japanese Sub Skippers. If it was not time to go to work we'd be having a marvelous glass or two of cognac!

Here is proof of the two carriers sinking:

[John 3rd]

OK. What are your BEST Sub scores? Sound off and let your glorious victories be read about here on the AAR. Come one, come ALL!

[savelius2]

Well done! Makes up a little for the carnage with the KB earlier.